Blinded (song)

Last updated
"Blinded"
Third Eye Blind - Blinded.jpg
Single by Third Eye Blind
from the album Out of the Vein
ReleasedApril 14, 2003 (2003-04-14)
Studio
Mourningwood Studio and Skywalker Sound (San Francisco)
Genre Alternative rock
Length
Label Elektra
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Stephan Jenkins
  • Arion Salazar
  • Jason Carmer
Third Eye Blind singles chronology
"Deep Inside of You"
(2000)
"Blinded"
(2003)
"Crystal Baller"
(2003)
Music video
"Blinded" on YouTube

"Blinded" (also known as "Blinded (When I See You)") is a song by American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. It was released in April 2003 as the lead single from their 2003 album, Out of the Vein . It was written by Stephan Jenkins, Arion Salazar, and Tony Fredianelli. The song received positive reviews from music critics and peaked at number 34 on the Billboard Pop Songs chart.

Contents

Background

"Blinded" was written by Stephan Jenkins, Arion Salazar, and Tony Fredianelli and was produced by Jenkins. [1]

The protagonist of the song is a man who goes to his ex-lover's apartment and spies on her through the bathroom door, illustrated in lyrics such as "I see you fogging up the mirror / Vapor round your body glistens from the shower." [2]

According to Entertainment Weekly 's Tom Sinclair, the song seems to reference The Who's "Pinball Wizard". [2]

Release

"Blinded" was released as a single in April 2003. [3] It was the second track on Third Eye Blind's 2003 album, Out of the Vein, which was released the following month. [4]

The song also appeared on Third Eye Blind's 2006 compilation album, A Collection . [5]

Composition

Critical reception

"Blinded" received positive critical reviews. Billboard's Chuck Taylor wrote that the song was "a jangly, pop-rooted rocker that reflects the signature style of the band: lyric-loaded, a big chorus, hearty, organic instrumentation, and more than a smattering of sexual innuendo. Adult top 40 and modern rock should take this baby in and give it a happy home." [1] Billboard's Larry Flick thought that the song would "easily stand the test of time." [6] While comparing Out of the Vein to Third Eye Blind's previous work, the Record-Journal 's Alan Sculley wrote, "Frisky songs like 'Blinded (When I See You)' and 'Crystal Baller' sit comfortably alongside past hits like 'Semi-Charmed Life' and 'Never Let You Go.'" [7]

Chart performance

"Blinded" was the first single released off of Out of the Vein. [2] It spent 15 weeks on the Billboard Adult Pop Songs chart and peaked at number 17 on July 5, 2003. It also peaked at number 35 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart and at number 34 on the Billboard Pop Songs chart. [8] It was the only single from Out of the Vein to appear on the charts. [9]

Music video

The song's music video was directed by Stephan Jenkins and features the band members fooling around and performing onstage. [10]

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel are adapted from the "Blinded (When I See You)" CD single liner notes. [11]

Charts

Chart (2003)Peak
position
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles ( Billboard ) [12] 16
US Adult Top 40 ( Billboard ) [13] 17
US Alternative Airplay ( Billboard ) [14] 35
US Mainstream Top 40 ( Billboard ) [15] 34

Release history

Release history and formats for "Blinded"
RegionDateFormats(s)Label(s)Ref(s).
United StatesApril 14, 2003 Contemporary hit radio [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Third Eye Blind</span> American rock band

Third Eye Blind is an American rock band formed in San Francisco, California, in 1993. After years of lineup changes in the early and mid-1990s, the songwriting duo of Stephan Jenkins and Kevin Cadogan signed the band's first major-label recording contract with Elektra Records in 1996. The band released their self-titled debut album in 1997, with the band largely consisting of Jenkins, Cadogan, Arion Salazar, and Brad Hargreaves (drums). Shortly after the release of the band's second album in 1999, Blue, with the same line-up, Cadogan was released from the band under controversial circumstances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephan Jenkins</span> American singer

Stephan Douglas Jenkins is an American singer, guitarist, and the frontman of the alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. He began his musical career in 1992 as part of the short-lived rap duo Puck and Natty, alongside Detroit rapper Herman Anthony Chunn. Following the breakup of the duo, Jenkins and guitarist Kevin Cadogan formed Third Eye Blind in 1993. The band released their eponymous debut studio album in 1997, which went multi-platinum in the United States. Since then, they have released nine more albums: Blue (1999), Out of the Vein (2003), Ursa Major (2009), Dopamine (2015), We Are Drugs (2016), Thanks for Everything(cover album) (2018), Screamer (2019), Our Bande Apart (2021), and Unplugged (2022). As part of Third Eye Blind, Jenkins has received one Billboard Music Award and eight California Music Awards.

<i>Third Eye Blind</i> (album) 1997 studio album by Third Eye Blind

Third Eye Blind is the debut studio album by American rock band Third Eye Blind, released on April 8, 1997, by Elektra Records. The album was collectively written by Stephan Jenkins and Kevin Cadogan, while production was helmed by Jenkins and Eric Valentine. Recorded in and around San Francisco at Toast Studios, Skywalker Ranch, and H.O.S., the album incorporates elements of alternative rock, post-grunge, and power pop. Thematically, the album focuses on topics such as relationships, drug addiction, suicide prevention, and the band's experience of being signed to a major record label. Third Eye Blind was promoted with five singles: "Semi-Charmed Life", "Graduate", "How's It Going to Be", "Losing a Whole Year", and "Jumper".

<i>Blue</i> (Third Eye Blind album) 1999 studio album by Third Eye Blind

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<i>Out of the Vein</i> 2003 studio album by Third Eye Blind

Out of the Vein is the third studio album by American rock band Third Eye Blind. Released on May 13, 2003, Out of the Vein is the band's first album with guitarist Tony Fredianelli, who replaced longtime guitarist Kevin Cadogan in 2000. It would also be Third Eye Blind's final album with Elektra Records as well as their final album with bassist Arion Salazar.

Kevin Rene Cadogan is an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and guitarist. A founding member of the band Third Eye Blind, he performed with the band from 1993 to 2000. He co-wrote some of Third Eye Blind's most notable hits, including "How's It Going to Be", "Losing a Whole Year", and "Graduate", 10 of the 14 songs on their debut album Third Eye Blind as well as six of the 13 tracks on his final collaboration with the band in their second album Blue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Semi-Charmed Life</span> 1997 single by Third Eye Blind

"Semi-Charmed Life" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind from their eponymous debut studio album (1997). It was released to radio as the lead single from the album on February 18, 1997, by Elektra Records. Frontman Stephan Jenkins is credited as the sole writer of the song, although guitarist Kevin Cadogan has disputed the song's authorship through litigation. Production on the song was helmed by Jenkins and Eric Valentine. According to Jenkins, the song is about a crystal meth addiction and the feeling that "your life is always about to change and never be reliable."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jumper (Third Eye Blind song)</span> 1998 single by Third Eye Blind

"Jumper" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind from their eponymous debut studio album (1997). It was released to radio as the fifth and final single from the album on August 4, 1998, by Elektra Records. Frontman Stephan Jenkins is credited as the sole writer of the song, whilst production on the song was helmed by Jenkins and Eric Valentine. According to Jenkins, "Jumper" focuses on an act of suicide, with the broader message of the song being about human compassion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How's It Going to Be</span> 1997 single by Third Eye Blind

"How's It Going to Be" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind from their eponymous debut studio album (1997). It was released to radio as the third single from the album on October 20, 1997, by Elektra Records. Frontman Stephan Jenkins and guitarist Kevin Cadogan are credited as writers of the song. Production on the song was helmed by Jenkins, Eric Valentine, and Ren Klyce, with additional production and arrangement by Arion Salazar and Cadogan. According to Jenkins, the song is about the end of a relationship and the transition to acquaintanceship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Let You Go (Third Eye Blind song)</span> 2000 single by Third Eye Blind

"Never Let You Go" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind. It was released on January 4, 2000, as the second single from their second album, Blue. The song peaked at number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and spent three weeks at number one in Canada. It also reached number 26 in Iceland, number 15 in New Zealand, and number six on the UK Rock Chart.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graduate (song)</span> 1997 single by Third Eye Blind

"Graduate" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind from their eponymous debut studio album (1997). It was released to radio as the second single from the album in July 1997 by Elektra Records. Frontman Stephan Jenkins and guitarist Kevin Cadogan are credited as co-writers on the song. Production on the song was helmed by Jenkins and Eric Valentine. According to Jenkins, the song is about the band's experience after being signed to a major record label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Losing a Whole Year</span> 1998 single by Third Eye Blind

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Third Eye Blind discography</span>

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<i>Ursa Major</i> (album) 2009 studio album by Third Eye Blind

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<i>Dopamine</i> (Third Eye Blind album) 2015 studio album by Third Eye Blind

Dopamine is the fifth studio album by American rock band Third Eye Blind, released on June 16, 2015. It is the band's first studio album since 2009's Ursa Major. Third Eye Blind worked on Dopamine from 2010 to 2015. The album's first single, "Everything Is Easy", was released on May 8, 2015, along with a cover version of the Beyoncé song "Mine". The album debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard 200, selling over 21,000 copies in its first week.

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Ursa Minor is an unreleased studio album by American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. Initially conceived as the second part of a double album to their 2009 release Ursa Major, the album was delayed, and eventually shelved, due to legal issues between frontman Stephan Jenkins and then-guitarist of the band Tony Fredianelli. The subsequent re-staffing the band with mostly new members in 2011 and 2012 led Jenkins to shy away from releasing the material, stating that it no longer represented the current band lineup - though comments from as recent as 2015 have alluded to releasing some of the music online eventually as well.

References

  1. 1 2 "Singles". Billboard. April 26, 2003. p. 39.
  2. 1 2 3 Sinclair, Tom. "Out of the Vein Review". ew.com. May 7, 2003. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  3. "Blinded - Third Eye". allmusic.com. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  4. "Out of the Vein - Third Eye Blind". allmusic.com. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  5. "A Collection - Third Eye Blind". allmusic.com. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  6. "Albums". Billboard. May 24, 2003. p. 34.
  7. Sculley, Alan. "Third Eye Blind takes their sweet time with latest CD". Record-Journal. May 1, 2003.
  8. "Blinded - Third Eye Blind". billboard.com. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  9. "Out of the Vein - Third Eye Blind Awards". allmusic.com. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  10. "Blinded (When I See You)". mtv.com. June 24, 2003. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  11. Blinded (When I See You) (Inlay cover). Third Eye Blind. Elektra. 2003. PRCD-1818-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. "Third Eye Blind Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  13. "Third Eye Blind Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
  14. "Third Eye Blind Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
  15. "Third Eye Blind Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  16. "Going for Adds". Radio & Records . No. 1499. April 11, 2003. p. 24.